Hamilton Wins To Take Title To The Wire

Lewis Hamilton won the U.S. Grand Prix to mean Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso will face a title-deciding final race of the season.

Hamilton drove brilliantly from second on the grid to overtake Vettel on lap 42 and seal a win that takes the title race between the Red Bull driver and Alonso to the last Grand Prix of the season in Brazil.

Vettel leads the Ferrari man by 13 points, and needs a top-four finish to seal an historic third-successive title.

All the talk immediately before the race centred on a controversial move from Ferrari to break a seal on the gearbox of Felipe Massa's car. It immediately incurred a five-place grid penalty for the Brazilian, dropping him from sixth to 11th, and promoting Alonso on to the clean side of the grid from eighth to seventh.

It was a clever tactical move from Ferrari which they said was done because "the interests of the team come before anything else". It proved crucial in allowing Alonso to start superbly and take third in the race.

Hamilton, who won the last race on US soil in 2007 at Indianapolis, said: "I'm so happy, the fans have been amazing.

"It's been one of the best, if not the best, grands prix we've had all year. For me and my team this is so special. It's been a long time since I've had a win and I'm so proud of what they have done."

The consolation for Red Bull is that they are constructors' champions for a third successive year, but they were hoping for bigger celebrations in Texas.

Vettel remains confident: "The car is working well and good enough to fight for the win.

"We've been quick in Brazil the last couple of years, and I have extended my lead in the championship, so we are in a good position."